Brushmaking machine



Nov. 1, 1949. .1. s. BAUMGARTNER 2,486,383

BRUSH MAKING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed March 24, 1943 Nov. 1, 1949- J. G. BAUMGARTNER BRUSH MAKING MACHINE 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed March 24, 1943 Nov. 1, 1949. J. G. BAUMGARTNE'R' 2,486,383

BRUSH MAKING MACHINE Filed March 24, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 3 1949. J. G. BAUMGARTNER 2,486,383

BRUSH MAKING MACHINE Filed March 24, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet '4' J. G. BAUMGARTNER BRUSH MAKING MACHINE Nov. 1, 1949.

Filed March 24, 1943 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 NW u Patented Nov. 1,1949

2.4mm I aausnuamo john G. Banmg'artnsr, AuroraJll.

1 Application March 24,. 194:. sci-a s. mm Claims. (cute-s) This invention relates generally to brush making machines andiin particular to means for setting the bristles in brush handles.

'An object of this invention is to provide an improved mechanism for inserting a tuft and a corresponding staple in a brush handle.

A further object of this invention is to provide an improved staple forming means.

Another object of this invention is to provide a substantially continuous guideway for a staple over its entire path of movement to an inserted position in a brush handle.

A still further object of this invention is to provide a brush making machine which is simple and compact in construction, and capable of quantity production over a long service life with a minimum of adjustments and attention.

A feature of this invention is found in the provision of staple carrying means adapted, during a continuous movement in one direction, to

cooperate with a stationary die member to cut a piece of wire to a staple length and with anvil means to form a staple from the cut length of wire.

A further feature of this invention is found in the provision of a brush making machine in which a staple carrying means and nozzle means, for directing a staple and a corresponding tuft to a brush handle, are relatively movable". to aligned positions to provide a substantially continuous guideway for the anchor. A bristle tuft is deposited on the nozzle means prior to its movement-to such aligned position, so that in the aligned position the tuft is located'in the guideway to be engaged by and inserted with the staple in a brush handle.

Further objects, features, and advantages of this invention will appear from the following description when taken in connection with the accompanying drawings in which:

Fig. 1 is a front elevational view of the brush ment of a pair of rotary handle carrying units forming a part of a means for carrying a formed handle from a handle forming mechanism to related operating units adapted to complete a finished brush;

Fig. 4 is .a fragmentary sectional view taken, along the line 4-4 in Fig. 3 showing the construction of a brush handle holder on one of. the rotary handle carrying units; a

Fig. 5 is a plan view of the means of Fig. 3 showing additionally the means for trans-' ferring a handle from one rotary carrying unit to the second carryingunit and for ejecting a finished brush from the machine;

Fig. 6 is an exploded perspective view showin the relative arrangement of a staple carrying and forming means with nozzle means for guiding a staple and a corresponding bristle tuft to a brush handle;

Fig. 7 is a fragmentary elevational view showing the relative position of the staple carrying means with the nozzle means when a tuft is being deposited on the nozzle means;

Fig. 8 is illustrated similarly to Fig. 'l and shows the relative position of the staple carrying means and nozzle means after a tuft is-sup'ported on the nozzle means;

. Fig. 9 is also illustrated similarly to Fig. 7 and shows the relative position of the staple carrying means and nozzle means at'the time the staple and tuft are to be inserted in a brush handle; I

Fig. 10 is an enlarged elevational view of the staple carrying means and nozzle means showing their associated driving mechanism, and their arrangement relative to a picker mechanism and wire feeding means; and

Fig. 11 shows a completed brush made by the machine of this invention.

In the practice of this invention there is provided-a machine for making a brush adapted to be used for applying a finger nail liquid. The machine is simple and compact in construction and has all of its operating parts readily accessible for inspection, servicing and repair purposes. Operation of the machine iscompletely automatic and continuous to produce completed related operating units, drill a, tuft-receiving hole in one end of each handle, separate a' substantially'measur'ed tuft-of bristles from a bristleholding magazine, insert a tuft within the drilled hole, secure a tuft within the handle by means Y j of a staple, form the staple from a continuous length of wire, uniformly comb theinserted bris- .tle tuft; trim the bristles in the tuft to the, same height, and then eiectthe -completed brush from 6b 'themachine. It is believed that the invention will be better understood by first describing the General operation As illustrated in the drawings the machine of this invention operates to produce a brush, shown complete in Fig. 11'. adapted to be used for applying a liquid polish to finger nails. It is to be understood, of course, that the machine is not limited in its operation to produce only this brush, since by relatively changing the arrangement of parts thereof it may be used to produce any brush of a general construction having a straight handle with a tuft carried at one end. The brush in Fig. 11 is shown as including a wooden handle ll of straight round form having a shank portion of reduced diameter, and a slotted end portion l6 of larger diameter adapted to be inserted in frictional engagement in a cap or cover l1. of a usual construction, for closing a bottle carrying the liquid to be applied by the brush. The opposite end of the brush has a drilled axially extending hole l8 for receiving a bristle: tuft l9 which is secured to the brush handle by a staple 2| anchored in the bottom of the drilled hole.

The stock 22 from which the wooden handles are formed is supplied to the machine in pieces (Fig. 1) which are of a straight round form and supported in a stock holding magazine, indicated generally as 23, in a superposed relation. The magazine 23 (shown also in Fig. 2) includes a horizontal table 24 carrying upright spaced corresponding members 26 and 21, with the members.26 and 21 being arranged in pairs longitudin'ally-of the table 24. Each end 28 of a member.21 is bent outwardly away from a corresponding member 26 to initially support the stock pieces 22 for dropping into a superposed position between the upright members 28 and 21. The end'members 21 are constructed of angle iron to ,support corresponding ends of the stock pieces 22. in substantial vertical alignment.

The lowermost piece of stock 22 has the left end thereof as viewed in Fig. l, successively fed .to the machine in lengths corresponding to a handle length, by feeding means indicated generally as 29, to a position where it is operated on by a rotary combination turning and drilling unit 3| (Figs. 2 and 5). The combination unit in a single operation turns the handle to its two di- ,.ameters and drills the hole 18. On completion 'ef the drilling and turning operation the machined portion of the stock is releasably gripped, in a holder or clamp 33 (Figs. 3 and 5) substantially concurrently with the cutting of the machined portion to a handle length by a saw 34, so that the formed handle i5 is supported in a holder 33. A plurality of holders 33 are carried in an angularly spaced relation on a rotary table or handle carrying unit 36 supported for rotation in a vertical plane parallel to a second table or handle carrying unit 31. The two tables 36 and 31 are horizontally offset from each other to provide for the alignment axially thereof of a holder 33 with a holder 38, a plurality of which are carried in an angularly spaced relation on the table 31. Each of the tables 36 and 31 is intermittently rotated distances corresponding to the angular spacing of their corresponding holders 33 and 38, respectively, to define the operating stations for the handle l5. Thus at the end of each intermittent rotation of the tables 36 and 31 a holder 33 is in horizontal alignment with a. holder 38.

At this operating station of a holder 33 and a holder 36 the handle II is moved in a direction axially thereof by a combination transfer and ejector mechanism 33, which operates to transfer the handle from a holder 33 on the table 36 to a holder 38 on the table 31 as will be later fully described.

With the handle it in a holder 33 on the table 31 the handle is successively carried to a tuft and staple inserting unit 4| a tuft combing mechanism 42 and a tuft trimmer 43 (Figs. 1 and 2). During the combing of the bristle tuft I6, and as clearly appears in Fig. 1, the slot in the handle end I. is cut by a saw 44. On the completion of this series of operations a finished brush, while stillheld in a clamp 33 is rotated by the table 31 to an ejecting station which is just ahead-of the transfer station at which a brush handle is transferred to the table 31 from the table 36. At the ejecting station a brush is acted upon by the transf r and ejecting mechanism 38 and ejected or disc arged from a holder 38 into a receptacle or the like 46. On reaching the transfer station, therefore, a holder 38 is empty and read again to receive a handle from a holder 33 on the table 36 The operating stations for the handle I 5 are indicated in Fig. 3 with respect to the rotary table 31, the transfer station being shown at A and the tuft and staple inserting station at B. The combing operation takes place for movement of the handle between the stations indicated at C and D, with the cutting of the slot in the handle end l6 occurring at the station C. The trimming of the bristle tuft takes place at station E, and the finished brush is ejected from the machine at the station F.

Driving means The general arrangement of the driving means for the machine is best understood from Figs. 1 and 2. The machine includes a horizontal table 41 of a substantially rectangular shape having supporting legs 48. There are four driving motors for operating the machine, a main driving motor 49, a motor 5| for the combination turning and drilling unit 3|, a motor 52 for the handle cutting saw 34, and a motor 53 for the slot cutting saw 44. The main motor 49 operates four power shafts, three of which indicated as 54, 56, and 51 are extended in a. parallel spaced relation at the left end of the table 41, as viewed in Figs. 1 and 2, the shaft 54 being below the shaft 56 and the shaft 51 above the shaft 56. The motor 49 is belt connected with the shaft 54, which in turn is connected to drive the shaft 56 through gears 58 and 59. The shaft 51 is driven from the shaft 56 through a gear and sprocket means indicated at 6|. The fourth power shaft 62 is extended across the rear end of the machine, as viewed in Fig. 2, and is connected in driven engagement with the shaft 56 through a bevel gear connection shown at 63. The shafts 56, 51, and 62 might properly be called cam shafts, since each carries a plurality of cams for operating associated operating units in the machine in a predetermined sequence, as will appear in the following detailed description of'the machine.

Handle carrying mechanism to has a hub portion we provided within angularly spaced spokes I01, with a holding unit 33 being carried at each end-of a spoke I01. The rotation of the table 33 is in a plane normal to the longitudinal axis of a stock piece 22, with the stock piece during each feeding operation having the left end portion thereof, as viewed in Fig. 2, projected into the path of movement of the holding units 33. During the operation of the combination unit 3I this left end portion of the stock piece 22 is located between adjacent holding units 33 so that the combination unit 3| moves longitudinally of the stock piece 22 and between adjacent holding units 33 but free of such holding units. Substantially concurrently with the retraction or the movement of the combination unit 3| out of the path of movement of the holding units 33 and the movement of the saw 34 to cut a handle I3 from a stock piece 22, the table 30 moves to a position at which the tween the jaws H and I20 of a holding unit33. The rotation of the table 36 is continuous but intermittent and is accomplished by a suitable pawl and ratchet driving mechanism (not shown) associated with a cam 36a carried on the cam shaft 62 (Fig. 2).

- The jaws H5 and I20 (Figs. 3 and 5) are ar-- ranged substantially tangentially of the table 30, with the jaw I I5 being formed as a part of a corresponding spoke I01 and the jaw I20 being pivoted at the end of a corresponding spoke I01 for movement relative to the jaw H5 in a direction normal to the axis of the table 35. The jaw I20 is normally urged toward a closing position with the jaw II5 by a spring I08. The jaw I20 is in an open position when its corresponding holding unit 33 is at a position to receive the stock piece 22 and is automatically released for closing with the jaw II5 on the piece 22 substantially concurrently with the operation of the saw 34. As a result after a handle is cut from the stock piece 22, the handle is supported in a holder 33 for rotation with the table 36. The jaw I20 is moved relative to the jaw H5 by a vertically extending cam I09, supported on the machine table 41, which has a cam surface III of substantially arcuate contour for engaging and opening the jaw I20 against the pressure of the spring I08. The cam I 09 holds the jaw I 20 in an open position until after the handle I5 is received between the jaws H5 and I20, at which time the jaw I20 is moved out of an engaging position with the cam I39 and is closed on the handle I5 by virtue of the action of the spring I08.

After the handle I5 is thus supported within a holding unit 33 the tabe 33 is rotated counterclockwise, as viewed in Fig. 3, to move the supporied handle I5 out of the path of movement of the combination unit 3| to permit the machining of a later handle I5. The counter-clockwise rotation of the table 33 moves the holder 33 from the position G at which it received a handle I5 to a next successive position which corre-' sponds to the transfer station 'A indicated in Fig. 3. As was above explained in the general desorption of the invention the operating station A designates a position at which a holding unit 33 on the table 36 is in linear alignment with a holder 33 on the second carrying unit or table 31, in a direct on axially of the tables 35 and 31. Table 31, like table 30, is intermittently moved to successive positions to carry a handle I5 to related operating units. This intermittent rotation of the table 31 is accomplished by a pawl and ratchet mechanism (not shown) which is associated with an operating cam 31:: on the cam shaft 02 (Fig. 2). v

The table 31 is of a substantially disc form and has holders 33, eight of which are indicated in Fig. 3, angularly spaced about its periphery. Although the table 31 is' illustrated as having eight like holders 33 and the table 30 as having live like holders 33, the intermittent rotation of the tables 33 and 31 is such that at each position to which a table 30 and 31 is moved, a holder 33 is in alignment with a holder 33 at the operation station A. Each holder 38 (Figs. 3, 4 and 5) includes a stationary law I I2 and a movable jaw II3 which is normally biased toward a closing position with the jaw II2 by a spring Ill. The jaw H3 is of a substantially H-shape in'section and is slidably supported on the table 31 in a handle to be cut from the stock piece 22 is beradially extending recessed portion II6 having a cavity I23 in the bottom thereof. The jaw III is retained on the table 31 by the stationary jaw II2 which extends across the recess IIS and is secured to the peripheral portion of the table 31. The spring I is positioned in a cavity II1 formed in a slidable jaw H3 and is arranged in compression between the bottom of the recess 1 and a plate-like portion "-8 integral with a lever arm I I9. The pressure applied by the spring -I I3 on the jaw I I3 is sufficient to support a handle I5 between the jaws H2 and H3 but permits the handle I5 to be moved in a longitudinal direction relative to the jaws. To firmly hold a handle I5 between the jaws H2 and H3 the action of the spring I I4 is supplemented by stronger springs II8a arranged in compression between the platelike portion H3, and the bottom of the cavity I23 and located in the cavity I23 and acting on the movable jaw II3 through the portion II8.

There is an arm H9 and springs H4 and corresponding to each holder 38. Each arm I I9 has one end pivoted to the table 31 and an opposite end I30 extended outwardly from the periphery of the table 31 for engaging an arcuate surface I2I on a vertically arranged cam I22 carried on the machine table 41. When an arm end I30 is out of engagement with the cam surface I2| the springs act on the arm portion II8 to press the movable jaw II3 radially outwardly from the table 31. The double action of the springs H4 and II8a on the movable jaw H3 is such as to hold a handle I5 in a substantially firm position between the jaws H2 and 3. When the arm and I30 is in engagement with the cam surface I2I the action of the springs is removed from the movable jaw II3 so that such jaw is moved toward the stationary jaw I I 2 only by the action of the smaller spring II4. The-action alone of the spring III on the jaw II3 occurs at the operating stations A and F, for the table 31, for a pur pose now to be explained.

With a holder 33 and a holder 38 in relatively aligned positions at the operating station A the handle I5 is transferred from the holder 33 to the holder 30 by means of the transfer and ejector mechanism 39 which includes a pair of plungers or sliding. rods I 24 and I26 slidably supported in a bearingmember I21, carried on the machine table 41, and connected for operation together with a common actuating member I28. The rods I 24 and I 23 are-slidably moved in a plane normal to the tables 33 and 31 andvin a direction axially of the handle I5 by means (not shown) operaasses ment with a handle I at the operating station A and on sliding movement toward the left, as

. viewed in Fig. 2, or upwardly, as viewed in Fig. 5,

engages and pushes the handle I5 out of a holder 33 and into a corresponding alignedholder 34. The handle I5 is initially retained in a supported position in the holder 34 by the action alone of the spring H4. The operation of the rod I24 is timed relative to the operation of the tables 36 and 31 so that is retracted from a holder 33 prior to any subsequent rotation of the tables 36 and 31. On rotation of the handle I5 by the table 31 to the operating station K (Fig. 3), the lever arm I I9 corresponding to the holder 33 previously at the operating station A, moves out of engagement with the cam I22 to permit both the springs H4 and H341 to act on the movable jaw II3 to firmly hold the handle within the jaws H2 and H3. The handle I5 thus transferred to the table 31 is then rotated to the operating station indicated as B in Fig. 3 at which station a tuft I9 and staple 2I are inserted within the drilled hole II.

Staple forming mechanism The mechanism for forming a staple 2| includes a pair of elongated horizontal sliding blocks or staple carrying members I29 and HI arranged in a superposed relation with the block I29 above the block I3I (Figs. 6 and 10). The blocks I29 and I3I are slidably engageable for relative longitudinal movement and slidably supported in corresponding guideways I33 and I34 carried on an upright frame member I32 mounted on the machine table 41. Blocks I29 and I3 I have 1 pivotally connected at spaced points I35 and I46,

respectively, to a common arm I44 pivotally supported at one end I46 on the machine table 41. The arm I44 intermediate the connected ends of the driving arms I42 and I43 carries a rotatable portion I41 supported in a following relation with a cam groove I48 formed in one side of a cam I49 carried on the cam shaft 51 (Figs. 2 and 10). Because of the different distances or lengths at which the pivotal connections I35 and I46 of the driving arms I42 and I43, respectively, are spaced from the pivoted end I46 of the arm I44, the blocks I 29 and I 3| are relatively moved concurrently with their movement together, with the block I29 travelling a. greater distance than the block I3I by virtue of the connection I35 of the driving arm I 42 being at the free end I of the pivoted arm I44. This difference in travel between the blocks I29 and I3I is of a predetermined extent for a purpose which will be later noted.

The free or operating end portions I5I and I52 of the blocks I29 and I3I, respectively, (Figs. 6

to 10) are formed along corresponding sides with site from the sliding blocks I29 and I. The other end I53 of the rocker arm I64 has a follower portion Ill associated with a cam Ill carried on the cam shaft 51. On rotation of the cam I6I the rocker arm I54 is pivoted in a 'substantially horizontal plane to in turn reciprocate the anvil I53 in a horizontal plane and in a direction transversely of the linear path of movement of the sliding blocks I29 and I3I. The cut away portions I56 and I55 in the ends I5I and I52 of the sliding blocks I26 and I3I, respectively, are open to each-other and together form a pocket or recess which in turn is open to the anchor guiding portions I34 and I31 in the sliding blocks I29 and I3I, respectively. It is seen, therefore, that the anvil I53 is reciprocally movable within the pocket, formed by the cut away portions I56 and I in the sliding blocks, and across the anchor guideway formed by the grooves I36 and I31. The cut away portions I50 and I55 in the sliding blocks I29 and I3I are of a length to permit a free reciprocal movement of the anvil I53 without interference from the sliding blocks during their movement in a path normal to the path of movement of the anvil.

The lower sliding blocks I3I at its end portion I52 and at the side thereof opposite the cut away portion I55 is formed with a chamfered or bevelled surface I56 (Figs. 6 and 10), of about 45, which is adapted for sliding and mating engagement with a corresponding bevelled surface I51 formed on a stationary guiding member I53 carried on the frame member I32. The die member I 58 is provided with a wire receiving aperture I59 which terminates in the bevelled surface I51, with a wire I6I being fed through the aperture I59 in predetermined lengths by means including feeding-rollers I62 and a cam I65 mounted on the cam shaft 51 (Figs. 2 and 10). It is seen, therefore, that the wire I6I fed through the aperture I59 is projected outwardly from the bevelled surface I51 of the die member I58 and into the path of movement of the slidable blocks I29 and I3I to be engaged by their operating ends I5I and I52, respectively. At the zone of engagement of the projected portion of the wire I6I with the block ends I5I and I52 there are provided at such ends grooves I63 and I64, respectively, connected with corresponding grooves I36 and I31, respectively, but normal to the grooves I36 and I31.

The blocks I29 and I3I are shown in Fig. 13 at the beginning of their operating movement, that is in a substantially extreme position to the right, as viewed in Fig. 10 with the end I52 of the lower block I3I being slightlyin advance or ahead of the end I5I of the upper block I29. With the blocks in this relative position, the anvil I53 is moved into the path of their movement, while the wire feeding rolls I62 are concurrently operated to project a length of the wire I6I into the path of movement of the blocks and in a posttion substantially adjacent the operating side I66 of the anvil I53. On movement of the blocks I29 and I3I toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 10, the block ends I5I and I52 move into substantial vertical alignment as they approach the wire projected in their path. Thus as the lower block I3I moves across the aperture I59 the bevelled, slidaeaases 2i concurrently with the location of the staple in the horizontallyv extending grooves I33 and I31 in the blocks I23 and I3I, respectively, as is shown :ln-Flg. '7.

As clearly appears from Fig. 3 the portion I31 of the anvil I53 over which the cut length of wire is staple-formed is of a relatively long length so which the tuft I3 is drawn from r-he nozzle means that during the bending of the cut wire the anvil I53 is capable of being retracted outwardly away from the blocks I 29 and I3I without interfering in any way with the forming of the staple 2I.

' Thus when the staple 2i is formed and guldably supported in the grooves I38 and I31 the anvil I53 is removed out of the anchor guideway. From the above description, therefore, it is seen that the lower block I3I coacts with the station-' ary die member I58 to cut a staple length of wire, with both blocks I23 and I3I cooperating with the anvil I53 to form a staple 2i substantially concurrently with the positioning of the staple within the guiding grooves I38 and I31. 021 the completion of the staple forming operation, therefore,

the staple 2I is slidably supported between the blocks I29 and I3I for insertion in a brush handle I5.

, In a timed relation with the forming .of the staple 2|, and as is illustrated in Fig. 7, a bristle tuft I3 is deposited by a picker member I38, to be later explained, on a horizontal shoulder portion I13 of a nozzle means "I located intermediate the blocks I23'and I3I and a handle II at the operating station .8, indicated in Fig. 8, at which operating station a tuft and staple are inserted in the brush handle. The nozzle means "I is adapted to coact with thegrooves I38 and I31 in the blocks I29 and I3I, respectively, to provide a substantially continuous guideway for the staple 2| to the handle I5, and the locating of the tuft I9 in such guideway to be engaged and inserted with the staple into the drilled hole I3 of the handle I5.

. Nozzle means The nozzle means I" (Fig. 6) includes a base member I14 having a top surface which includes the shoulder portion I13, the shoulder being formed by the partial covering of'the top surface with an upper nozzle member I18. The base and upper members are of a substantially block form so that the shoulder I13 forms the horizontal portion of a right angle step at the top of the nozzle means "I and at the end'thereof adjacent the slidingblocks I29 and I3I. The top surface of the-base member I14 and the lower surface of the upper member I18 are provided with horizontal mating anchor guiding grooves I11 and I18, respectively, which extend into mating nozzle or snout portions I19 and I'8I on jacent the rotating table 31 and terminate subthe members, I14 and I13, respectively. The

stantially at the end I8 of the handle I5 carried on the table 31 at the operating station 3 (Figs. 3 and 5). The anchor guiding grooves I11 and I18 (Fig. 6) in the nozzle means "I, at the ends thereof adjacent the sliding blocks I23 and I3I,

are lined or bell shaped so that the tuft I9 deposited on the shoulder portion I13 by the picker member I83 is doubled for insertion into the 10 site ends 223 and 223 of the grooves I11 and I18, respectively, are cutaway to form a slot 221 intermediate the nozzle portions I13 and I3I through The opposite end I84 of the rocker arm I83 is.

mounted on a shaft I38 rotatably supported in the frame member I32 and extended transversely through the frame member I32. A second arm I85, is carried at one end on a shaft I31 rotatably supported transversely of the frame member I32, with the arms I33 and I85 being on opposite sides of the frame member I32. The opposite end of the arm I85 has a follower portion I88 associated with an operating cam "is carried on the cam shaft 51. The end of the shaft I81 at the first arm I33 carries an actuating link I88 which acts on the arm I33 to move it downwardly, as viewed in Fig. 10, against the action .of springs I33 arranged in compression between the rocker arm I83 and a boss or lug portion I3I on the frame member I32. The movement upwardly of the arm I83, as seen in Fig. 10, is accomplished by the springs I83. which also function to maintain the follower I38 in a following relation with the cam I1Ia (Fig. 2). on operation of the cam "la the nozzle means I 1| is moved to upper and lower operating position for a purpose which will appear later.

Staple and tuft inserting mechanism This mechanism includes in combination the.

or spaced from the nozzle means "I, and the horizontal shoulder portion I13 is in a position below the anchor guiding groove I31 in the lower" block I3I.. The spacebetween the nozzle means "I and the blocks I23 and I3l permits a tuft I3 to be carried by the picker member l88 to the shoulder portion I13,- the picker I88 bein pivotaliy movable-in a vertical plane adjacent the plane of movement of the slidable members I23 and BI. o

With-'18, tuft I3 on the shoulder portion I13 and in -the slot'2II in the picker member I88,v

the. movement of the blocks I29 and I3I with the staple 2i supported therebetween. is .con-,

tinued toward the'left as viewed in Figs. 8 and 10. On the-continued movement of the blocks I28 -and-'I3I the block I28 is advanced ahead of the block I3I so as tobe oilset longitudinally relative to the block III with the block ends I5I and' I52 out of; vertical alignment. This continued movement of the blocks takes place while the nozzle means. "I and picker member I88 are retaint in theirlower operating positions. to provide for the block I 23 passing over v the shoulder portion I13 to a position at which its end I5I is adjacent the upper nozzle member I18 and for the end I52 of the lower block. .handle I5 as will be later explained. The oppo- "I being moved to a position adjacent the nozzle ba e member I14. This relative position of the blocks I29 and I3I with the nozzle means "I and picker member I69 is shown in Fig. 8. As is also shown in Fig. 8 the bristle tu-"t I9 is w thin the picker slot 2 but supported on the horizontal surface I13 of the nozzle means "I and out of'an engaging position with the blocks I29 and I3I.

In the relative position of the blocks I29 and "I as shown in Fig. 8, it is seenthat there is formed a reversed st p portion of right angle shape having a horizontally extending surface formed by a portion of the lower surface of the upper block I29 and a vert cally extending surface formed by the end I52 of the lower block "I. With the blocks 29.and I3I retained in this reversed step relation and their ends I5I and I52, respect vely. adiacent the nozzle memb rs I16 and "4. respectively, the nozzle means "I is vertically moved to its upper opera-ting position shown in Fig. 9 concurrently with an upward movement of the picker I38. This upward position of the nozzle means I1I provides sliding blocks I29 for the step ortion at the top thereof moving into a com lem ntary relation w th the re ersed step portion formed by the offset blocks I29 and IRI, to lin rly a i n the staple guiding grooves I11 and I 8 in the nozzle means with correspondin stanle guiding grooves I31 and I86 in the blocks I29 and I3I, respectively. By virtue of the positioning of the block ends I29 and I3I adjacent the nozzle means. as was above explained. there is thus provided at the upper pos tion of the nozzle means ill a substantially continuo s g ideway for the staple 2I to the handle I5. Because of the longitudinally offset relation of the b ock ends I5I and I52 it is apparent that the Joining portions of the cont nuous guideway are out ,of vertical alignment so that at no time is the staple 2i out of engagementwith a solid guiding surface.

As was explained above the guiding groove I11 in the top surface of the nozzle base member I14 includes the horizontal step portion I13. Thus. the tuft I9, supported on the shoulder I13, is laid across the staple guiding portion I11 and on moving of the nozzle means "I upwardly to complement the blocks I29 and I3I, as shown in Fig. 9. the tuft I9 while still in the slot 2 of the picker I68 is located between the horizontal surface I13 and the lower surface of the upper sliding block I29. Since these two surfaces define in part the staple guideway the tuft I9 is positioned in the staple uideway formed by the staple guide portions I11 and I18 of the nozzle means and the staple guide portion I36 and I31 in the sliding blocks. On driving of the staple 2| by the driver I39, therefore, the bristle I9 is straddled by the staple 2| and removed from the picker I69 for movement through the nozzle means HI and insertion in the drilled hole I8 in the brush handle I5.

On completion of the inserting operation the blocks I29 and HI are moved toward the right to their starting position shown in Fig. 10 and the picker I68 is moved to its upper position, as also shown in Fig. 19, while the nozzle means "I is dropped to its lower operating position to again be ready to receive a bristle tuft I9. On movement of the blocks I29 and I3I toward the left, as viewed in Fig. 10, the cycle of operations providing for the cutting and forming of the staple 2i, its reception in a supported position between the blocks I29 and I3I and the move- 12 and staple inserting operation is repeated in the manner above fully explained.

The driver I38 for inserting a staple 2| and tuft I9 into a brush handle I5 is continuously slidably supported in the staple guiding grooves I36 and I31 in the blocks I29 and I3I, and during the inserting operation is slidably movable in the continuous anchor guideway formed by the blocks I 29 and I3I with the nozzle means "I. The driver I38 is operated through a sliding block'l99 slidably supported in way members I92 carried on the frame member I32 (Fig. 19), with the sliding block being pivotally connected to one end I93 of a driving arm I94. The opposite end of the driving arm I94 is eccentrically mounted on the cam I49 to provide for the reciprocation of the driving arm I38 in a timed relation relative to the operation of the and I3I' and the nozzle means "I.

As was mentioned above the nozzle portions I11 and I18 of the nozzle means "I terminate substantially adjacent one end of the handle I5. As is shown in Fig. 5 a slight space is provided between thehandle and the nozzle portions to prevent any jamming of the bristle tuft I9 at the end of the nozzle portions during an inserting operation, and also to permit a free passage of the handle I5 into coaxialalignment with the staple guideway provided in the tuft and staple inserting mechanism including the nozzle means HI and the blocks I29 and I3I. This space is additionally increased during'the inserting operation by virtue of the movement of the handle i5 by the driving rod I38. Although aspring on a corresponding holding means 38 for a handle I5 retains the handle I5 in a substantially 'firm position on the rotating table 31, a movement of the handle I5 occurs during an inserting operation due to the impact of the driver I39 in driving the staple 2-I to an anchored position in the bottom of the drilled hole I8. This movement of the handle I5 is limited by an adjustable stop means I96 arranged in linear alignment with the I handle I5 and to the side of the rotating table 31 1;.opposite the nozzle means I'll.

"ment of the handle I5 to a stop position occurs Since any moveasthe result of the moving force being applied thereto through the staple 2I, any tendency of a.

bristle tuft I9 to pass out of a straddled relation with the staple 21 is entirely eliminated, since the staple legs are against the bottom of the drilled hole I8 prior to any movement of the handle I5 to a position against the stop I96.

Picker mechanism The picker mechanism, shown in Fig. 10, includes the picker member I69 and a vertical bristle magazine I 91 for carrying bristle stock I98. The picker member I66 is of a substantially arcuate form and has a radially extending arm I99 mounted on a shaft 29I rotatably supported at the top of the frame member I32 as viewed in Fig. 10. Also carried on the shaft 29I is an arm 292 pivotally connected to one end of a second arm 293 the opposite end 294 of which is in turn pivotally connected to the free end of a driving arm 296, the other end 291 of which is pivotally supported on the machine table 41. Intermediate the ends of the driving arm 296 is a rotary follower portion 299 adapted for following engagement in a cam groove 299 formed in the cam I49. It. is seen, therefore, that the cam I49 is constructed to operate the sliding blocks I29 and I9I, the driver I99, and'the picker member I99 in a predetermined timed relation.

The' picker member I98 is pivotally movable across the lower end of the bristle magazine I91 and has a notch 2II therein for cutting and recelving a measured tuft of bristles from the bristle stock I99 to form a bristle tuft I9. The tuft I9 is retained within the notch 2H for carrying explained above.

C'ombing mechanism On completion of the staple and tuft inserting operation, which occurs at the operating station B indicated in Fig. 3, the handle I5 with the tuft I9 inserted within the drilled hole I9 and secured to the bottom thereof by the staple 2I is moved to the operating station C. At this operating station the tuft I9 is acted upon by the combing means 42 (Fig. 1) which includes a series of three combing members 2I9 pivotally connected at one end 2I4 to the frame member I92. The members 2 I9 are connected together for concurrent operation by a connecting link 2 I 9 and are operated for reciprocal movement across the bristle tufts I9 by means including a driving arm 2I1 eccentrically mounted on a shaft 2l9. The shaft 2I9 carries a pulley 2I9-which is connected with a driving pulley22I mounted on the power shaft 94. The combing operation, by virtue of the plurality of combs 2I9 is continued while the handle is moved from the operating station C to the operating station D as indicated in Fig. 3.

Slot cutting mechanism Thecutting of the slot in the large end I9 of the handle I9, which permits this end portion to be moved into frictional engagement with the cap I1 as is shown in Fig. 11, takes place at the operating station- C concurrently with the beginning of the combining operation of the tuft I 9. The saw 44 for cutting the slot in the handle I9 is rotatably supported at one end of a rocker arm 222 which is pivotally movable in a direction axially of the handle I5. The opposite end of the rocker arm 222 is pivotally supported on the machine frame 41 with its pivotal support being in substantial coaxial alignment with the motor 99 which operates the saw 44 through a belt connection 229. Pivotal movement of the rocker arm 222 in a timed relation with the rotation of the table 91 is accomplished by operating mechanism including a cam 44a carried on the cam shaft 92 (Fig. 2).

Trimmer mechanism On movement of the handle I9 to the operating station E indicated in Fig. 3 the combed bristle tuft I9 is trimmed to a uniform height by the trimmer mechanism designated generally-as 49 in Fig. 1. This mechanism includes stationary blades associated with a reciprocally movable blade which is continuously operated during the operation of the machine of this invention by means including a cam 49a mounted on the cam shaft 92. The trimming operation completes a finished brush which is ejected from the machine mechanism 99.

Transfer and ejecting mechanism With reference to Figs. 3 and 9 the ejecting station for the flnished brush is indicated at F, at which station it is-acted upon by the driver I29 of the transfer and ejecting mechanism 29. As was previously mentioned the drivers I24 and I29 in the mechanism 99 are concurrently operated'by virtue of their connection with a common actuating member I29. The drivers I24 and I29 are arranged in a parallel relation but offset from each other a distance corresponding to the distance between adjacent holders 99 on the table 91, and are in alignment axially of the table 91 with adjacent holders 99. Since the driver I24 functions only to transfer a handle I9 from the table 99 to the table 91 it is movable only across the plane of the table 99 in the path of movement of the holders 99. The driver I29, although longer than the driver I24, is located entirely out of the path of movement of the table 99 but is movable across the planes of both the tables 99 and 91 to completely pass through a holder 99 on the table 91.

On operation of the transfer and ejecting mechanism 99. both drivers I24 and I29 are operated together so that a handle I9 is transferred from the table 96 to the table 91 concurrently with the ejection of a finished brush from the table 91. As

was previously mentioned an arm II9 associated with a holder 99 (Figs. 3 and 4) is operated on by the cam I22 at the station A to permit the ready insertion of a handle I9 from the table 99 into a holder 99 on the table 91. The operating surface I2I of the cam I22 is of a length to also engage the arm II9 of a holder 99 at the station F so that only the smaller spring II4 acts to retain the jaws II2 and H9 of a holder 99 in a closed position at the operating stations A and F. Thus at the stations A and F, although the handle I9 is releasably support-ed ina holding means 99, such support'is of a nature to permit the ready insertion into and removal of a handle from a holder 99.

The finished brush ejected from a holder 99 at the station F drops into the receptacle or box 49 shown in Fig. l which is slidably supported on the machine frame 41 for convenient removal from the machine. The wooden shavings and sawdust resulting from the various operations performed on the wooden handle I9 as well as loose bristles and the like are drawn into suction air ducts 224 having inlet portions prearranged on the table 41. All waste and dirt is thus quickly removed from the machine to prevent any wasttse accumulations about any of the operating uni From a consideration of the above description it is seen that the invention provides a brush making machine which is of a compact and rugged construction capable of operating automatically to produce a finished brush on the supply thereto of only handle stock, bristles, and wire. Stock for the brush handles issuccessivelyfed to the machine in handle lengths at a predetermined rate corresponding to the time required for machining a length into a handle and the performance of related operations on a machined handle to produce the finished brush. Contin- 1 uously operated intermittenty rotatable handle carrying means are provided with handle holders adapted to automatically engage a handle to carry the handle to various operating units, with carrying units of the carrying means to provide for the handle beng continuously carried to operating units associated with each carrying unit. The relatively slidable horizontally movable blocks or staple carrying means, during a continuous movement in one direction, cooperate with a stationary wire supporting means to cut a length of wire, and with an anvil means to stapleform a cut length of wire concurrently with receiving the staple being formed for guidable support to a brush handle. The sliding blocks further coact with a vertically movable nozzle means to provide a substantially continuous guideway for the staple to the brush handle and a location of a bristle tuft in the guideway in a position to be straddled by and inserted with the staple into the brush handle. The entire machine is comprised of but a few parts requiring servicing and attention, with the operating portions being movable but relatively small distances so that the machine is capable of high volume production over long continuous operating periods.

Although the invention has been described with respect to a preferred embodiment thereof it is not to be so limited since modifications and changes can be made therein which are within the full intended scope of this invention as defined by the appendcd claims.

I claim:

1. In a brush making machine, the means providing a substantially continuous guideway for a staple to a brush handle and the positioning of a bristle tuft in said guideway to be engaged and inserted with said staple in said brush handle including in combination horizontal means having a horizontal gude portion for'said staple torminating in a reversed step portion at one end of said horizontal means, vertically movable means having a step portion at the top thereof and a horizontal guide portion for said staple terminating at said step portion, with said step portion, when said vertically movable means is in an upper position, being in a complementary relation with said reversed step portion to align said two guide portions to provide said substantially continuous guideway, and means for depositing a bristle tuft on said step portion when said vertically movable means is in a lower position, with movement of said vertically movable means to said upper position locating said bristle tuft in said'guideway.

2. In a brush making m-chine, the means for positioning a bristle tuft in the path of movement of a staple to be engaged and inserted with the staple in a brush handle including in combination a first staple guide portion, a second staple guide portion corre-ponding to sad first guide portion to guidably support an anchor therebetween, with one of said two guide portions being adapted to support a bristle tuft thereon and with the other guide portion including a pair of relatively driven members, and means for relatively moving said guide portions toward each other and in directions substantially at right angles to one another.

3. In a brush making machine, the means providing a substantially continuous guideway for a staple to a brush handle and the positioning of a bristle tuft in said guideway to be engaged and inserted with the staple in a brush handle including in combination horizontally movable means having a horizontal guide portion for said staple terminating in a reversed step portion on said horizontal means, vertically movable means having a step portion at the top thereof and a horizontal guide portion for said staple terminating at said step portion, said two movable means being relatvely movable to a position at which said step portion complements said reversed step portion to align said two guide portions to provide said subrtantiallycontinuous guideway, and means for depositing a bristle tuft on said ste port on prior to the relative movement of said two movable means to said complementary position so that at said position said tuft is in aid guideway.

4. In a brush making machine, the means for inserting a. staple and a bristle tuft therewith into a brush handle including in combination a pair of linearly movable relatively slidable members for guidably supporting a staple therebetween, means for driving said slidable members so that corresponding ends thereof are longitudinally offset from each other during an inserting operation, means having a pair of fixed port'ons thereon substantially in an L-shape coacting with said corresponding offset ends of said slidable members to provide a substantially continuous guiding support for said staple to said handle, and means for moving said coacting means to two operating positions, said coacting means in One operating position being adapted to rece've and support a bristle tuft thereon between said two oifset portions. and in the other of said operating posit ons compressing the tuft and providing said continuous guiding support for said staple, with said tuft, in saidother operating position. being in the path of said staple so as to be inserted therewith during an inserting operation.

5. In a brush making machine, the mean for nserting a staple and a bristle tuft therewith into a brush handle including in combination a pair of linearly movable members constructed to slidably support a staple therebetween and means for driving one member beyond the other, means coacting with said linearly movable members to provide a substantially continuous slidable support for said staple to said handle, and means for moving said coacting means to two operating positions. said coacting means in one operating position being adapted to receive a bristle tuft thereon, and in the other operating position compressing the bristle tuft and providing said continuous guidable support for said staple, with said bristle tuft when said coacting means is in said other operating position. being located in the path of movement of said staple.

6. In a machine having mechanism for operating on bristles and staples for manufacturing brushes, the combination including a pair of corresponding adacent driven members, means for driving one member so that in the extended driven position of the members said one member overlaps the other at corresponding ends, means movable in a direction substantially at right ang-les to the direction of movement of said members having a stepped portion at the top thereof, with said one member forming with said movable means at said stepped portion a cavity for tuft and staple reception, with said driven members and said movable means having guideway portions therein, and a plunger operating between said members to drive a tuft and staple along said guideway portions to a brush handle position at the outside of said movable means.

7. In a machine having mechanism for operating on bristles and staples for manufacturing brushes, the combination including a pair of corresponding adjacent driven members, means for driving one member so that in the extended driven position of the members said one member overlaps the other at corresponding ends, means movable in a direction substantially at right angles to the direction of movement of said driven members having a stepped portion at the top thereof, with one part of said stepped portion positioned at the one driven member and another part positioned at the other driven member, and said parts and said members forming a cavity for tuft reception, and means for moving said movable means relative to said members to reduce the size of the cavity for compressing a tuft therein.

8. In a machine having mechanism for operating on bristles and staples for manufacturing brushes, the combination including first movable means havin a pair of driven members, means for driving one member so that one extends beyond the other member at corresponding ends to provide a substantially L-shaped configuration at such ends, a second movable means having a pair of fixed portions positioned to provide a substantially L-shaped configuration at one end and inverted relative to the first movable means, and means for synchronizing the movements of said movable means and positioning said means such as to provide a continuous smaller cavity at the end portions toinitially receive and then com press and guide a bristle tuftfor movement through said second movable means.

9. In a brush making machine, mechanism for directing bristle-tufts and bristle retainers to a brush handle including in combination a first means having a pair of cooperating members driven in one direction, a second means comprising a single unit having a guideway longitudinally thereof and driven in a direction substantially at right angles to the driven direction of the first means, said single unit having. one portion ofiset relative to another portion and extending beyond said another portion in the direction of driven movement of said unit, and means for driving said two members of said first means so that one member extends beyond the other in the direction of driven movement, and said one extended member positioned at said one extended portion, and with said other member engaging said another portion with said members and portions forming a walled cavity therebetween in alignment with said guideway for receiving a bristle tuft and bristle retainer for insertion through the guideway.

10. In a brush making machine having structure with a bristle-tuft received thereon and a staple forming anvil, the means for cutting'and carrying a wire to be formed into a staple and thereafter carrying a staple and bristle-tuft therewith, such means including in combination a wire guiding and cutting unit having wire movable therein and having a cutting surface thereon at which the movable wire is positioned, a pair of movable blocks each having a portion at one end thereof for engaging such wire which is outside said unit, with one of said blocks engaging said wire at said cuttingsurface to coact with said unit to cut a piece of wire from the movable wire, and means for driving saidpair of blocks to cause said One block to out said piece of wire and for driving said pair of blocks to move the cut wire therewith and act with said anvil to form a staple, said driving means thereafter driving said blocks and carrying the staple to a position at the bristle tuft in said machine.

JOHN G. BAUMGARTNER.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the file of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 361,832 Morrison et a1 Apr. 26, 1887 530,151 Young Dec. 4, 1894 632,100 Carson Aug. 29, 1899 746,943 Fisher et al Dec. 15, 1903 801,026 Liebig -Oct. 3, 1905 811,377 .Cleveland Jan. 30, 1906 924,194 Schwartz June 8, 1909 1,114,722 Bendshadler Oct. 27, 1914 1,292,896 Sjostrom Jan. 28, 1919 1,706,714 Van Veen et al Mar. 26, 1929 1,736,162 Lindstrom Nov. 19, 1929 2,008,960 Lampard July 23, 1935 2,097,296 Lipps Oct. 26, 1937 2,291,240 Landeck et a1 July 28, 1942 2,323,350 Paynter July 6, 1943 

